Some findings on the usefulness of image analysis for determining the characteristics of the air-void system on hardened concrete

This paper discusses the usefulness of image analysis techniques in order to assess the characteristics of the air-void system in concrete. Test results indicate that such a technique can correctly assess the air-void characteristics as defined in ASTM C 457 Standard test method. However, the accuracy of the test results is not significantly improved as compared with the manual technique and the image analysis method must be very carefully validated before being used as a routine procedure. Test results also indicate that the image analysis technique failed to correctly assess the size-distribution of air voids and, for that reason, this technique cannot be used to provide a better estimate of the real spacing of air voids than the commonly used ASTM C 457 spacing factor